stimulating

[ stim-yuh-ley-ting ]

adjective

1. causing interest, inspiration, or incitement to action:

   We offer a stimulating work environment with lots of opportunity for growth.

2. inciting; acting as a cause:

   Rapid technological change is described by some authors as a stimulating factor in the decline of traditional ways of growing food.

3. having the property of exciting a nerve, gland, etc., to its functional activity:

   This plant tincture has a stimulating effect on the liver, spleen, and digestive system.

Other Words From

• stim·u·lat·ing·ly adverb
• non·stim·u·lat·ing adjective
• self-stim·u·lat·ing adjective
• sem·i·stim·u·lat·ing adjective
• un·stim·u·lat·ing adjective
• un·stim·u·lat·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of stimulating¹

First recorded in 1640–50; stimulate ( def ) + -ing ²( def )

Example Sentences

In 2022, Duke researchers, backed by the National Institutes of Health, began investigating whether stimulating the vagus nerve could affect SUMOylation and set off a natural anti-inflammatory response that calms immune responses and reduces inflammation.

From Science Daily

The Fed eventually wants to get to a point where interest rates are neither stimulating nor restricting the economy, as they are now.

From Los Angeles Times

It kills trees that have a role to play in stimulating rainclouds to form, which disrupts delicately balanced rainfall cycles - creating a feedback loop leading to further drought.

From BBC

Pulling back the curtain on an often mysterious and misunderstood genre, the series gives glimpses into why fans around the world continue to be captivated by K-pop’s fandom, high-octane performances and stimulating cross-cultural experiences.

From Los Angeles Times

“To me, Sufjan’s music is relaxing and stimulating at the same time,” says Legend, whose real last name, as it happens, is Stephens.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• appealing
• challenging
• exhilarating
• hectic
• inspiring
• interesting
• invigorating
• lively
• provocative
• thought-provoking
• thrilling